1.2 million small businesses exist in the state of Illinois, according to a 2018 SBA Profile. Unfortunately for many, this dream has traditionally required more funds than are available to the typical individual. Thankfully, the Mattoon In Motion Robust Economy Committee has created a business incubation center, empowering those in the Coles County Region in their goals to open or develop their small business. Elevate CCIC, Inc. makes entrepreneurship a reality for anyone with a dream and determination.

Traditionally, operating a business requires thousands of dollars a year. Between renting office space, paying for internet, utilities and other amenities; most people are unable to provide the resources needed for their ideas to blossom into a fruitful venture.

Fortunately, Elevate enables everyone in the Coles County Area to startup their own business in a less costly manner. In our co-working space, one can access the resources necessary for their start-up at a manageable cost (see membership fees below), rent an office if applicable to their venture as well as several additional amenities.

Conference rooms are available for Full Membership members twice (2) a month for free. After which Full members receive half off rental rate. Large Conference Room Rental based on availability and is $250/full day (8hr) or $150/half day (4hr).

Additionally, our co-working center goes above and beyond providing physical space, internet and utilities. While working at Elevate, entrepreneurs are given access to members only events in coordination with programs created with our partners. These programs are formulated in a fashion which increases knowledge of various opportunities to grow a startup or develop a small business through exposure to like minded individuals looking to start their own venture.

Not to mention the success Elevate has had in gathering resources for those who will utilize the center, the physical space we occupy has greatly changed since renovations began nearly a year ago. When Rural King, ‘America’s Farm and Home Store’ first provided us with the space, there was much progress to be made before we would have the innovative work center that is present in the Cross County Mall today.

As of today, the finishing touches are being completed in the workspace. We are appreciative of our contractors who are completing the final installs for our equipment lockers and televisions. Finally standing in the center, the colorful open workspace speaks volumes of everyone involved in every step of the process of creating our center. Our colorful furniture area, booth design, and open layout have truly shaped a beautiful co-collaborative workspace to benefit entrepreneurs in our region.

We at Elevate CCIC, Inc. would like to thank everyone who has supported our mission to encourage, connect and grow small and startup businesses in the region by creating a mixed-use, co-working space that provides resources and opportunities to empower success. Since the conception of our organization, creating a greater community that nurtures

innovation and economic prosperity in the Coles County region through a collaborative community of entrepreneurs has been our vision. Elevate has made developmental strides of success since the idea for our center was first organized. Going into the future, we see great success generated through the various programs we have to offer entrepreneurs.

Current programming for Elevate includes the ‘Grow With Google’ program provides digital resources, workshops and discussions organized by our supporter Google.org.

Words cannot fully express the excitement we have towards the coming months, following final installation and the state’s ‘Shelter in Place’ order we stand eager to put new start-ups in motion and further develop small businesses.

In coordination with Lake Land College, the ‘Lakeland Initiative’ is organized to provide full members of Elevate with an opportunity to receive limited tuition waivers for a Business Development Certificate through Lake Land College.

We are glad to support our Veterans in co-operating with Code Platoon, this program provides educational opportunities to veterans and their spouses through a 14 week coding course.

Elevate is proud to use the ‘4-H Farmbot’ in our center to use and showcase agricultural development by facilitating 4-H after school programming.

Additionally, our ‘Simple Accelerator Program’ is in place to help entrepreneurs build financially feasible business plans and access low interest revolving loans.

The accomplishments achieved by our center would not be possible without you, our supporter. The team at Elevate owes the most sincere thank you to everyone who has provided the resources needed for our center. We hope our continued success will inspire our supporters to continue to work towards providing a co-collaborative business incubation center in order to spur growth in our community.

As a community organization, our goal is to provide resources to as many people as possible. The programming available at Elevate plays a huge role in how we continue to provide for our clients and additionally spurs growth to new entrepreneurs who have not yet benefited from the resources Elevate has to offer.

We at Elevate are proud to call ourselves a home for our partner, Code Platoon. As a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, Code Platoon strives to “transform veterans and military spouses into professional software developers through an immersive, hands-on, educational process and paid internship program.” In short, Code Platoon creates employment opportunities for veterans of our country and their spouses through a 14-week coding bootcamp.

Code Platoon is able to accomplish this goal by making their program affordable and connecting graduates from their program with companies who see the value that veterans and their families bring to the table. Additionally, Code Platoon encourages every veteran or military spouse to participate in their program. While a coding career is lucrative ( two years after completion of the program, graduates reported a median income of $88,000) Code Platoon emphasizes, “A veteran or military spouse has what it takes to become a developer, even if they don’t identify as a techie. We encourage all veterans and military spouses to apply.”

Many veterans face unemployment due to challenges translating their demonstrated dedication, teamwork and problem-solving into civilian work experience. According to a Call of Duty Endowment and ZipRecruiter study, 33 percent of Veterans are underemployed. For many veterans, completing a four-year degree after serving is not a viable option due to family, financial and social constraints. While many ‘developer boot camps’ have educated talented groups of developers, Code Platoon works to combat the challenges often presented specifically to veterans.

Our role as a partner of Code Platoon highlights one of the most important attributes of their program. Their coding camp provides students with the encouragement of working in a collaborative environment with their peers for the duration of their course. Doing so simulates the civilian work environment and places participants in an environment where they are encouraged to work with others completing the same courses they are working on themselves.

Naturally, as a cross collaborative business incubation center and work space, Elevate and Code Platoon are a perfect fit as partners. We welcome veterans and military families into our center and hope to provide resources in any way we can. Veterans and their spouses can apply for the program at https://www.codeplatoon.org/ under ‘Apply Now‘ Please share this article in order to support those who have served our country in building a better life in the civilian world.

Mattoon in Motion Robust Economy Committee was organized to “create a community of entrepreneurs who are passionate about developing their business.” As part of this initiative, Elevate CCIC, Inc. is supporting this goal by developing a grassroots economic development center that will encourage cross-collaboration of ideas and resources. To understand where Elevate is today, and our vision for the future, a look at our history is imperative.

Carlos Ortega, Executive Directorat Elevate CCIC, Inc.

In August 2019, Carlos Ortega accepted the Executive Director position at Elevate CCIC, Inc., the brainchild organization created by the Robust Economy Committee to encourage the growth of small business development in the Coles County area. Carlos says he took the position because he is “passionate about community development and supporting people with the resources they have available to them.” His experience with the Illinois State Senate, four years as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and obtaining his MPP at Western Illinois University has prepared Carlos with the expertise needed to organize a center that brings the best parts of the community and region together.

As a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, Elevate is funded by the goodwill of investors who see the potential of a business incubation center in our community. In the early stages of the Elevate, three organizations supported the inception of our business incubation center through substantial grants and in-kind awards.

On February 15th, 2019, Elevate was awarded the Google.org Impact Challenge Illinois Grant and People’s Choice award for $325,000 to fund the full renovation of the center. As described by Google.org, “The Google.org Impact Challenge asks local nonprofit innovators and social entrepreneurs how they would make their community and beyond an even better place.” In alignment with the award granted by Google.org, Rural King provided Elevate with the open space in the Cross-County Mall to host our vision.

On August 5th, 2019, Elevate was awarded the Rural Business Development Grant by the United States Department of Agriculture. This $98,000 grant was able to fund the furnishing of the space as well as all equipment in the center. The USDA grant brings Elevate to its current position, awaiting the finishing touches on the construction of the center.

Elevate is adding to this by continuing to develop relationships with existing entities from around the U.S.

Our newest network partner is Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation, also known as Rural LISC. Rural LISC is one of the country’s largest organizations supporting projects to revitalize communities and bring greater economic opportunity to residents. They invest in affordable housing, better schools, safer streets, growing businesses and programs that connect people with financial opportunities.

They provide the capital, strategy, and know-how to local partners to get this done.

Elevate CCIC, Inc. is proud to call Rural LISC our network partner.

As Elevate CCIC, Inc., we will work with our area residents to create jobs and prepare residents to succeed in those jobs through our partners, supporters, and established institutions in the area.

Through organizations such as Code Platoon, we aim to bring needed coding classes that work with regional veterans who desire to learn how to code.

Development of Elevate CCIC, INC. (Elevate)

The Development of Elevate has been a community-wide engagement from the beginning. Because of the support of the community, our dream has become a reality. We are well on our way to become a regional hub of entrepreneurship and business innovation. Our space will be a place where ideas can collide, and innovation can prosper.

If you are a Innovator, entrepreneur, remote worker, have an at-home business, or need assistance in starting your business venture, we are your one-stop location for all your needs. Conference rooms will be available to rent as well. Please see the membership plans for more information.

Before:

October 2019

During

We are re-purposing the space in the mall for a more inviting feel. With open space to work, private offices, conference rooms to rent, gigabit-speed internet access provided by Consolidated Communications, and open 24/7. When complete there will be a place for everyone at Elevate. We believe this mixture of collaborative zones will increase productivity, whether you work alone or together.

November 2019

Progress

The development of Elevate has been nonstop since we started. We are working on completing our space by January 2020, and our board is fully engaged in making sure Elevate CCIC, Inc. is here for years to come.

Tour of the Space by Elevate CCIC, Inc. Board members

We are developing many connections to local, regional, country, and global partners. We are striving to do our best for those who utilize our space while providing access to resources to those who need it. Our programs such as ClassE, the Lake Land College Initiative, which will offer a tuition waiver for a 27 credit hour Business Development Certificate for qualified full members of Elevate, and offering services from Code Platoon are just a few of the programs that we are providing in our space. Please see the about section for more information.

Phase 3

We are currently in phase 3, which is fundraising for a three-year operational budget. We are halfway there but still need your help. Please consider donating for giving Tuesday and contribute what you can today.

One way that we are working to support our area veterans is through our partnership with Code Platoon to offer their remote services in our center when we open in January 2020.

Code Platoon is a nonprofit coding Bootcamp for veterans and military spouses. The program is full-time for 14 weeks, where students learn software development skills. Training is available in-person through their Chicago classroom or remotely. Please visit codeplatoon.org for more information and to apply today!

They are currently Accepting Applications for the next cohort, which are due by midnight on Sunday, January 26th, 2020. Just 10 weeks away. Scholarships are available through Code Platoon. https://www.codeplatoon.org/scholarships/

As Elevate, we are working to create an atmosphere which spurs innovation and entrepreneurship. Veterans or military spouses who are accepted into the program can now meet with other classmates who are also doing the class remotely at our center.